Multiracial Individuals, Gender Dynamics, And Dating

This study examines the role gender and race play in multiracial men and women’s experiences with dating. With the use of interviews, fourteen men and women shared their experiences with dating. There were two main themes that emerged. The first was the development of a multiracial identity. Participants labelled four factors that impact the development of their multiracial identity: family, friends, school, and religion. The other theme was dating approaches which included: finding a partner, family acceptance and non-acceptance, and challenges with dating. Influenced by the theoretical frames of intersectionality and colorism, I demonstrate how race and gender are intersecting power dynamics that influence multiracial experiences when it comes to dating

Center Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcomes Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study

Background: Traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary, multifaceted program for cardiac patients. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, health care, including center-based CR (CBCR) programs, were closed to in-person sessions. Even with the return to CBCR participation, patient outcomes may have been affected by this disruption in care. The goal of this study was to determine if CR participation outcomes differed before and after CBCR program closure due to Covid-19. Methods: A retrospective comparative cohort design was used to examine CR participant outcome data before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Convenience sampling of CR participants at a large, urban midwestern community hospital was used. Comparison of CR patients who completed CBCR prior to restriction (within 60 days prior to Covid-19 closure) were compared to CR participants attending CBCR within the 60 days following CBCR restriction. Data was collected from CR participants’ medical record and included: a) participant demographic and clinical characteristics, and b) CR outcomes: BMI, BP, MET’s and diet modification. Results: A total of 37 CR participants were included in this study; 12 participants in the pre-Covid group and 25 participants in the post-Covid group. The mean age of CR participants in both groups was 71 years (pre-Covid M=71.17, post-Covid M=71.32). The average number of CBCR classes attended by the pre-Covid group was M=23.36, compared to M=27.12 in the post-Covid group. Data analysis to compare differences between demographic, clinical and outcome variables in each group were analyzed using chi square and t-test statistical analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between the pre- or post-Covid groups. Baseline and discharge BMI for the pre-Covid group was M=31.36 and M=29.19 respectively; compared to the post-Covid group BMI M=29.66 at baseline and M=29.7l at discharge. Blood pressure (BP) was categorized as normal, Stage 1 hypertension, or Stage 2 hypertension. The majority of the pre-Covid group had participants in the normal BP category at CR baseline and discharge. The majority of the post-Covid group had participants in the elevated BP category at CR baseline and normal at CR discharge. Dietary modification was measured by Rate Your Plate (RYP). The pre-Covid group had a RYP score of M=65.78, with decrease to M=61.66 at CR discharge; compared to the post-Covid RYP score of M=61.00 at baseline and increase to M=67.25 at discharge. A six-minute walk test completed at CR admission and discharge demonstrated both groups increased distance walked. The pre-Covid group baseline was M=1211.36 ft. and increased to M=1800.00 ft at discharge; compared to post-Covid group with CR baseline M=1085 ft and increased to M=1533 ft at discharge. Conclusions: During the pre-post Covid phases of the pandemic, CR participant outcomes were comparable. During the pandemic, CR participants were able to demonstrate progress in cardiovascular health and improvements in secondary cardiovascular risk reduction. Furthermore, the evaluation of CR participant outcomes provides a basis for providers to coach and support CR participants’ secondary CV risk reduction after completion of the CBCR program. Limitations to the study includes the number of available patients observed through chart review

Carbon storage in tidal marsh sediments in the Bay of Fundy : the role of vegetation and depth

1 online resource (39 pages) : illustrations, mapIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-39).Tidal marshes have the ability to sequester and store atmospheric CO2 and thus contribute a valuable ecosystem service. Globally, tidal marshes have declined due to environmental damage and habitat conversion—however, restoration has become a promising mode of revitalization of these ecosystems. Little is known about carbon storage differences between restored and natural marshes or the factors that influence carbon storage in these systems. This study compares belowground carbon stocks in three tidal marshes (new restoration, old restoration, natural reference). Carbon content was sampled using a Russian peat corer at three locations in Spartina alterniflora vegetation at each marsh. Two sediment cores were taken at each sampling location, one from an area with live plants and one from bare mud, and each core subdivided into three depths: surface (<3cm), rhizosphere (3cm-30cm) and below-rhizosphere (<30cm). Statistical analysis showed that depth had no significant effect. Given this, it appears that the depth at which carbon is buried does not impact long-term carbon storage within tidal marshes. The older restoration and natural sites contained a similar amount of buried carbon as the new restoration site. There was no significant difference in carbon storage between vegetated versus unvegetated areas across all marshes. Further studies should explore the role of sedimentation and its influence on carbon storage within these systems. In addition, the impact of climate change should also be monitored within tidal marshes to ensure correct methods for conservation and restoration are being employed

Understanding parameters for site characterization and their influence on restoration trajectory in tidal marshes in Nova Scotia, Canada

1 online resource (xvii, 222 pages) : colour illustrations, maps (some colour), charts (some colour), graphs (some colour)Includes abstract and appendices.Includes bibliographical references (pages 107-123).This study investigated the characterization and trajectory of ten restoration and six natural tidal marshes by assessing site similarities and differences. Using previously collected data, a PCA identified three groupings along with environmental variables and some ungrouped sites and variables; one grouping—BEL, SCP, and SCW—shared similarities both pre- and postrestoration. Clusters identified during subsequent analyses were by sediment type (organogenic or minerogenic) and incorporated present-day data. Pre-conditions may influence the restoration trajectory of certain sites, particularly former agricultural lands and impoundments. Cumulative accretion estimates compared to IPCC sea-level rise projections several sites are threatened and identified one site of particular concern. However, vegetation data at the plot level shows increases in vegetated area and halophytic cover, and high marsh at sites into Year 10+ post-restoration. This study is one of the first to explore characterization and trajectory of both restoration and natural tidal marshes in mainland Nova Scotia

The Mediation of Mental Health between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Risky Sexual Behavior

Risky sexual behaviors (RSB) have the potential to negatively impact individuals by increasing the risk of mental health issues, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unwanted pregnancies. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health disorders, such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression, have been known to increase RSB. The purpose of this study was to see if these mental health disorders mediate the relationship between ACEs and RSB. Participants (n = 342, mean age = 32) were recruited through social media to complete an online questionnaire. While history of ACEs significantly predicted engagement in RSB as well as all three of the mental health measures, none of the three measures of mental health emerged as a significant mediator of the relationship between ACEs and engagement in RSB (depression: b = .0060, SE = .0568, 95% CI[-.1175, .1148]; anxiety: (b = -.0136, SE = .0565, 95% CI[-.1393, .0904]; PTSD: (b = .1131, SE = .0807, 95% CI[-.0313, .2867]. Ultimately, this research showed that the history of ACEs exerts a strong, direct effect on engaging in RSB, and that in this sample, mental health symptoms are not sufficient to explain this relationship. Therefore, other factors should be explored as possible mechanisms maintaining this relationship. Furthermore, future research efforts should extend this exploration to young participants that may be more likely to participate in RSB